Typewriting machine



Patented Sept. 2, 1941 STATES PATENT QFFICE TYPEWBITING MACHINE I Harry 0. Yaeger, West Hartford, Coma, assignor to Underwood Elliott Fisher Company, New

York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application December s, 1938, Serial No. 243,835

11 Claims.

This invention relates to typewriting machines It is a further object of the invention to pro vide improved power-drive connections to the individual type-bars from the common poweroperator so that corresponding movements given to each driving-member by the common operator will result in substantially equidistant type-bar movements toward the platen.

It is a further object of the invention to improve the drive-connections to the various typeamount of printing-momentum thatfizach typebar will receive during a power-o ration, so that in each adjusted regulator-position all typing impressions will be of substantially uniform strength.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing differently formed rolling-surfaces on several type-actionlevers.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of a centrally disposed partly operated type-action, the powerdrive connection from the common operator having been disrupted so that continued movement of the type-bar is solely by momentum. *5,

Figure 3 is a side-view of the type-action and the associated power-drive parts shown in Figure 1 in normal position.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, type-bars H are pivotally mounted in a type-bar II is guided in a separate segment slot l5 for pivotal movement about said rod l2 toward a common printing point on a platen N. The

bars in cooperative association with a common rs ll re n l y ins n arcuate power-stroke regulator to collectively predetermine the extent of power-drive actuation of all type-bars toward the platen uniformly.

of the return to normal positions of the associated driving-members. a

A further object of the invention lies in the simplicity of the mechanism and the small number of diflerent parts for accomplishing the above and other results.

The type-bars according to this invention are a all power-driven toward the platen a substan- 19 are connected to the t ne-bars ll Each lever tlally equal distance, hence, the type-bars con tinueby momentum toward the platen. .Con-

nec'tions between the type-bars and the assorciated driving-members provide for substantially uniform distance power-movements of all types 35 slots 24. provided in pad 11; Each type-bar includes an arm l8 extending normally downwardly and rearwardly from the type-bar pivot-rod It. A link I9 is connected to each type-bar arm I8'and extends 3 forwardly therefrom. Each link is is connected at its forward end to an upright sub-lever 20. The levers 2| are pivoted at their lower ends upon a common pivot-rod 23 and are separately guided in vertical horizontally-spaced guidecross-barn. The links l9 are connected to the levers 2| at graded lever-lengths from the lever-pivots and the points of connections 26 lie substantially in an arc in front of an are along which the links 2| includes a curved rollliIZ-surface 21. A downwardly pending pivoted sub-lever or arm 28 is toward the platen in substantially equal drive ida r edge 21 of the associated lever 2!.

periods. All type-actions, therefore, attain upon power operation practically the same momentum at correspondingly operated drive-member positions. The type-bar driving membersare selectively connectable to the common power-operator by keys or other controls, but the period of power-connection of the individual drivingmembers is collectively andequally predetermined by a' common regulator.

The setting of 3% is pivotally connected at its front-end to each of the lower-ends of the arms 28. The' rear of each driving-link 86 is urged upwardly and rearwardly by a spring 38 against an angle bar 3% so that a snatch pawl 3! upon each link 34 occuthe regulator therefore predetermines the D s the normal P io S n at re 3, clear v 34. upon a single bar 68 which is carried at each side and disconnected from a common transversely extending, straight power-operator 38. The power-operator 38 may be in the form of a transversely extending roll having snatch teeth and may be continuously revolving in the direction of an arrow indicated in each of Figures 2 and 3. The driving-links 34 and the arms 28 are arranged in straight rows parallelto the operator 38.

Each drive-link 34 is selectable for a single power operation by the common power-operator or snatch-roll 38 under the control of a typeact'ion selecting type-key 40. Each type-key 40 is attached to a key-lever 4| that is pivoted rearward of the snatch-roll 38 upon a common pivotrod 42. The pivot-rod 42 extends through a bar 43 which is slotted as at 44 to laterally guide therear-ends of-the key-levers 4|. The frontends of the key-levers are guided in slots 48 of a comb plate 46. Springs 41 urge the key levers 4| upwardly against the upper-ends of the slots 45 and a bar 48 limits the downward motion the pivot-rod 23 (see Figure 2 of the drawing) so that the position of the eccentric 64 controls the position of the abutment bar 60. It will be seen that when the bar 60 is lowered or raised under the control of the dial 65 that the snatchpawls 31 will become disconnected after varying given to the keylevers. Each key lever 4| carpawl 31 will be drawn into operatively coupled engagenent with the snatch-roll 38. The snatch pawls 31 are pivoted upon their associated driving'links 34 and the center ofgravity of each pawl lies forward of thepawl-pivot 81 so that with the parts at rest as seen in Figure 3 the snatch-pawl 31 contacts the driving link at 84. The snatch-roll 38 moves an engaged pawl 31 first about the pawl-pivot whereby the pawl-tail .55 engagesthe forward bottom edge of the angle-bar 35 to firmly wedge the pawl-teeth into full engagement with the snatch-roll teeth. The spring ,36 is sufllciently strong to prevent all movement of the driving link 34 until the snatch pawl 31 is in firm engagement with the snatchrcil. The pivotal motion of the pawl 31 upon the link 34 is limited as seen at 88, Figure 2. .The pawl 31, therefore, will, after an initial pivotal movement, pick up the link 34 for a forward tye-action-driving movement. At the first portion of theforward movement of the drivin separation of each snatch-pawl 31 is effected by' the coaction of a cam-face 88 provided upon the driving link 34 with a relatively stationary screwabutment 89 after a certain size power-movement has been'transmitted to the driving link The screw abutments 83 are all mounted of the machine upon a pivoted arm 8| which arms form together with the bar, a single pivoted bar-structure. The bar-structure also includes a forwardly extending arm 62 which bears against the underside of a readily adjustable eccentric 84 having a dial control 65. The

weight of the bar 60 and a spring 86 urge the' whole bar-structure in clockwise direction about drive-engagements with the snatch-roll.

The companion rolling surfaces 21 and 30 of each typebar operating train are individually designed so that substantially equal power- 'driven movements will be transmitted to the type-bars during correspondingly timed movements of the driving links 34. In effect the rolllng connections are leverage and acceleration controlling connections. It follows, therefore, that in any adjusted position of the bar 60, the snatch pawls 31 will become disengaged from. the power-roll 38 substantially after the type-bars have been power-driven equally near the platen l4 and that the printing-force stored up in the type-bars is also substantially equal. All typebar impressions made in any adjusted position of the bar 60 will therefore be uniform. Subsequent to the disconnection of the snatch-pawl 31 from the snatch-roll 38 each type-bar continues by momentum toward the platen to make an imprint and the driving-link returns immediately to normal position and is ready for another power-actuation. The associated typebars links l9 and levers 2| are quickly returned to normal position by individual springs 29 attached to the lower lever-ends. The dot and-dash line representing the lever 2| in Figure 2 indicates the extreme operated position thereof and it should be understood that the springs 36 always effect the return of the arms 28 ahead of the return to normal position of the levers 2|.

As has been pointed out before, the levers 2| extend upwardly and their lengths are varying. The centrally disposed levers 2| in the machine are the shortest and the levers disposed increasingly nearer to the sides of the machine are longer, see Figure 3. The foremost lever 2| in Figure 1 represents a short, that is, centrally arm 28 contacts the rolling surface 21'on the lever 2| initially at'" to exert a'desired initial leverage upon the lever at thebeginning of each power operation. The contact between the rolling surfaces 21 and 30 progresses downwardly during the power operation of the arm 28, nearer to the lever pivot 23, to accelerate the motion of the connected type bar. The rolling-surfaces on the more outwardly disposed arms 28 have initial contacts with the levers that are increasingly further away from their pivots, as seen in Figure 1. to compensate for the increasing lengths of the more outwardly disposed levers 2|. The rolling-contacts of the various associated surfaces 21 and 33 progress downwardly during the operation of the various type-bars at such rates that similar part-movements of the driving links will result in similar movementsof the type-bars toward the platen.

In the form of the invention shown. the arms 28 are in every respect equal and their positions are normally gauged against a face 18 provided upon the cross bar 33. The rolling surfaces on the levers 2| only are individually designed or formed to give the desireduniformity in the power operation and acceleration of all type-bars. It should be noted that the machine of the present invention can be manufactured economically because of the relatively few different parts coning bars.

tained in the machine. The corresponding typeaction parts can be manufactured by the use of the same tools except the levers 2! which require difierent tools.

Any individual screw 59 may be adjusted to slightly vary the extent of power-operation of the associated type-bar from the other type-bars. A type-bar having a small type-surface, for example, may be given a little shorter power-operated movement toward the platen than a typeplaten while the driving link 3 and the associated H arm 28 returns promptly to normal position. The type-bars rebound freely and, quickly from the platen independent of the return of the drivingmembers 33. The characters typed are therefore more perfect and sharp in outline due to the speedier rebound of the types away from the platen. Because of the relative early return of the driving-links 34 to normal position, the return of thetype-bars is more lively and the typebars may therefore be power-operated in quick succession without 'the clashing of the neighbor'- The usual curved universal bar 13 is engaged by each type-bar just before the type-bar reaches the platen. This universal bar is used to quickly actuate a carriage-feed escapement, not shown,

'at the instant of type-impact. The invention independent of the return of the driving link 34 to normal position, during the full type-bar movement toward the platen. The universal bar it is pivoted at 18. and connected to a ribbonfeed mechanism and a ribbon vibrating mecha nismof standard construction, not shown. It is desirable to operate the ribbon vibrating mechacomparatively slowly during the full typebar movement towardthe platen to prevent momentary flexing of delicate ribbon vibrating parts and to prevent momentary crumpling oi the ribbon. This is especially true when a two-color ribbon'is employed so that the typing-field on the ribbon is extremely narrow. The arms 15 contact the universal-bar at varying lengths so that the universal bar 1s will receive a uniform move-- ment from all the levers 2i irrespective of their varying angular movements. The universal bar id is provided with tongues 12, one opposite each i the lever-arms 15. These tongues 12 are invidually bendable to compensate for slight differences in the throw of the lever-arms l5.

A plate it fastened upon the bar 83 by screws is provided with bendable tongues Tito accuratelyand noiselessly limit the motions of the shifted downwardly in any known way to bring the upper-case types 19 into register with the printing line upon the platen. The links I9 are I connected to the levers 2| and the type-bars II for idle pivotal movement about their front-ends during case-shirt movements of the type-bars as is indicated by the dot-and-dash lines in- Figure 3.

What is claimed is:

1. Ina typewriter, in combination, a type-bar, a lever connected thereto, means influencing said type-bar and said lever to rest position, power drive means, a substantially vertical arm adapted for rolling contact with said lever, an actuator link pivoted to said arm and extending horizontally therefrom, stationary abutment means against which the said arm and the said actuator link are normally positioned 'free of said power drive means, means movable to cause a transitory connection of the actuator link with the drive means whereby said arm is moved in rolling contact' against the lever toimpel said type-bar toward typing position, and resilient means for causing immediate return 01 the actuating link and said arm to normal position against the said stationary abutment means, after said transitory connection, in advance of and independent of the return of said type-bar and said lever to rest position.

2. In a typewriter having a frame and an array of operable type-bars, laterally spaced levers pivoted on a straight transverse frame-supported rod and having each an operating connection with one of said type-bars. a straight transverse array of power-actuating means for said levers parallelly adjacent to the array of levers,compris'- ing, arms individually pivoted on another straight frame-supported rod, and pusher links pivotedto said-arms, said arms being adapted for rolling contact with said levers for pushing said levers to operate said type-bars, a power operator, bar

means on said frame against which said arms and said pusher links are positioned free of said power operator in normal positions, means for resiliently urging safdarms and said pusher links to normal positions as determined by said bar means, and

I selectively operable means to cause a transitory engagement of any one 01' said pusher links with said power operator.

3. In a typewriter having a frame and an array of operable type-bars, a transverse array of laterally. spaced levers pivoted on a straight transverse frame-supported rod. each lever having an operating connection with one of said type-bars, straight transverse array of powervactuating means for said levers parallelly adjasupported rod, and an actuator link pivoted to h v each arm, said arms being adapted for rolling contact with said levers for pushing said levers from normal to operated positions to operate said type-bars, apower operator, stopmeans on saidframe against which said arms are normally positioned. a. transverse bar on theframe against which said actuator links are normally positioned free of said power operator, spring means for urging said arms and said actuator links to normal positions as determined by said stop means and said transverse bar, and selectively operable means to cause a transitory engagement of, any

type-bars, laterally spaced levers, a straight axis having operating connections with said typebars at variant points from the said axis, wherefore said levers require difierent angular motions to operate said bars, a straight array of identical power-actuator means, each actuator means adapted for rolling contact with one of said levers, power drive means, means selectively operable to connect any actuator means to said drive means whereby a connected actuator means drives one of said levers in rolling contact to drive a connected.- type-bar toward typing position, means to disconnect a connected actuator means automatically before a driven type-bar reaches typing position, means for causing an immediate return of any actuator means responsive to disconnection, wherefore an actuator means starts to return while the printing movement of the type-bar is being completed by momentum, a universal bar, and motion-transmitting contacts between said levers and said universal bar located variously distant from said pivot axis wherefore said universal bar is operable to an equal extent by all the levers.

5. In a typewriter, a curved array of pivoted type-bars, an array of levers individually connected to said type-bars and pivoted to swing on horizontally transverse axes, means influencing said type-bars ,toward normal positions, a straight array of parallelly disposed pusher means adapted for individual rolling contact with said levers and reciprocable from and to normal positions, power operating means, means selectively operable to cause said power operating means to impart a single reciprocation to anyone of the pusher means, said pusher means in moving-from normal positions causing, said type-bars to be impelled toward typing positions, the type-bars continuing by momentum to type and returning to normal positions uninfluenced by said pusher means.

6. In a typewriter, a curved array of pivoted type-bars, an array of levers individually connected to said type-bars and pivoted to swing on horizontally transverse axes, means influencing said type-bars toward normal positions, an array of parallelly disposed pusher means, including, a straight array of parallelly disposed pivoted arms adapted for individual rolling contact with said levers and a pusher actuator pivotally connected to each one of said arms and reciprocable to and from a normal position, power operating means,

means selectively operable to cause said power operating means to impart a single reciprocation to any one of the pusher actuators, said pusher actuators in moving from normal positions causing said type-bars to be impelled toward typing positions, the type-bars continuing by momentum to type and returning to normal positions uninfluenced by said pusher actuators.

7. In a typewriter, a curved array of pivoted type-bars, an array of upright levers individually connected to said type-bars and pivoted to swing on horizontally transverse axes, means influencing said type-bars toward normal positions, a straight array of parallel arms, each pivoted for fore and aft movement and adapted to drive one of said levers by rolling contact therewith, par-' allel pusher actuators, one connected to each of said arms and reciprocable to and from normal position, power operating means, means selectively operable to causesaid power operating means to impart a single reciprocation to any pusher actuator, said actuators in moving from andaft pivotal movements and connected to said type-bars, means influencing said type-bars toward normal positions, a straight array of parallelly disposed arms, each adapted to drive one of said levers by rolling contact therewith, a straight arrayof identical push-links individually pivoted to said arms, power drive means, means selectively operable to connect said push-links individually to said drive means for single actuations thereby to cause said type-bars to be impelled toward typing positions, means to disconnect said push-links prior to the type-bars reaching typing positions, the type-bars completing their typing movement by momentum, and means for returning said push-links responsive to disconnection so that the type-bars return to normal positions uninfiue'nced by said push-links.

9. In a typewriter, a curved array of pivoted 'type-barsn an array of levers mounted for fore and aft pivotal movements and connected to said type-bars, means influencing said type-bars to normal positions, a straight array of pivoted identical arms, each located behind one of said levers and adapted to-drive it in rolling contact therewith, a straight array of push-links behind said levers and individually pivoted to said arms, power drive means, means selectively operable to pivot rod in back of and above said first pivot rod, an array of elements pivoted upon said straight rod, each adapted to drive one 01' said levers by rolling contact therewith, a straight array of parallel actuators pivotally connected to said elements, power drive means, means selectively op- I erable to connect said actuators individually for single actuations to said power drive means to .cause saic elements to drive said levers and impel said type-bars toward typing positions, the typebars completing their typing movements by momentum, and means for returning said actuators responsive to disconnection so that said type-bars return to normal positions uninfluenced by said actuators;

-11. In a typewriter, a curved array of pivoted type-bars, an array of levers mounted for fore and aft pivotal movements and individually connected to, said type-bars, means influencing said type-bars to normal positions, a straight pivot rod, 9. straight array of parallelly disposed arms individually pendent from said rod, each arm adapted to drive one of said levers by rolling contact therewith, a straight array of horizontally extending parallel actuators individually pivoted below said pivot rod to said arms. power drive means, means selectively operable to connect bars completing their typing movements by said actuators individually to said drive means momentum, and means for returning said actufor single actuations thereby to cause said typeators responsive to disconnection so that said K bars to be impelled toward typing positions, type-bars return to normal positions uninmeans to disconnect saidactuators prior to the 5 fluenced by said actuators.

type-bars reaching typing positions. the type- HARRY C. YAEGER. 

